Independence Day: Resurgence, AI Orb hologram

During the post-production of "Independence Day: Resurgence" I was tasked with several VFX concept art tasks, including exploring shapes and forms for the hologram generated by the benign alien AI.

During the production phase there was a moment in which the director wanted to develop the idea of the AI sphere opening and unfolding to reveal a more complex aspect of itself inside.
AI Orb, unfolding: 1 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 2 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 3 of 3

Another example of VFX concept art on plate. The Area 51 hangar had to be extended to create an entrance and a space for the Moon Tug that carried the AI sphere.

Original Plate.

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 1 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 2 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 3 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 4 of 4

The container for the AI Orb, which gets ultimately cut in half by a laser beam.

Early storyboard for the AI narration.
The green light with a wasp-like pattern represent the evil aliens ships and the orderly light spheres with the blue trails represent the benign AI starships.

Storyboard for the AI narration in a way less abstract style. Here the story told is the destruction of the AI planet by the evil aliens' mothership.